MANILA, Philippines — What happens when real-life family drama meets your favorite comfort food? Following the massive success of Eden Cheese’s vertical drama Cheese the One, acclaimed filmmakers and AWKP podcast hosts Antoinette Jadaone and JP Habac took over Basta Café for a special live episode of Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast (AWKP). The goal? To dissect the internet’s most talked-about dinner table showdowns.
But things got personal quickly: the directors used the series to look back at their own hilariously “cheesy” memories and awkward family moments. From overbearing relatives to comforting meals that saved the day, the live episode serves up a deeply relatable, laugh-out-loud conversation that will make you want to instantly tune in and stream the full episode.
Surrounded by a live audience, the duo kicked off the episode by reminiscing about their ultimate kitchen staple, Eden Cheese.
“Ako, super love ko ang cheese. Mahilig talaga ako sa cheese,” shared Direk Tonet Jadaone during the live recording. “Kahit mga ulam sa bahay na hindi kailangang lagyan ng cheese, nilalagyan ko talaga. Pero ang pinaka-bet ko na nilalagyan ko ng Eden Cheese ay yung kaldereta ko—Cheesy Caldereta!”
Proving that some combinations only get better with a modern twist, they also treated the crowd to a live preparation of their custom “I’m on a Diet Nachos for Sharing,” specially overloaded with the new and improved, creamier and milkier formula of Eden Cheese.
From ‘Teleserye Tropes’ to Real-Life Dinner Table Pressure
As master storytellers behind some of the country’s most beloved contemporary romance and drama films, Direk Tonet and Direk JP immediately gravitated toward Cheese the One’s unique format.
“What’s so brilliant about Cheese the One is that Eden knows exactly how to ride the wave of the new era,” shared Direk Tonet. “Reimagining the classic, heavy Pinoy teleserye format into a 4-part vertical drama series optimized for smartphones is a major milestone. It’s quick, it’s sharp, but the emotional struggle of a young wife trying to win over a formidable mother-in-law is so real.”
The hosts didn’t hold back as they analyzed the gripping friction between characters Leah (Netty Inojales) and her strict mother-in-law, Sylvia (Connie Cuneta). The on-screen tension quickly sparked a highly relatable discussion about the cultural weight of Filipino relationships and the deep-seated desire for familial approval.
“Normal naman talaga ’yun sa mga relasyon na meron kang pini-please na family member, kasi nga tayong mga Pilipino, close talaga tayo sa pamilya,” noted Direk Tonet.
“Kultura na natin ’yun na kapag meron kang pinakilalang jowa, kailangan magustuhan siya ng buong angkan,” Direk JP injected.
“At kapag hindi nagustuhan, gagawin mo talaga ang lahat para magustuhan, parang ’yung naging laban ni Leah sa Cheese the One,” added Direk Tonet.
This relentless pressure to fit into an established household led the duo to swap notes on the subtle, real-life signs that you have finally crossed over from an “outsider” to an accepted member of the family.
“Alam mong tanggap ka na kapag wala ka doon [sa isang gathering], pero bigla kang hinahanap,” laughed Direk Tonet. “Ang isa pang solid sign ay kapag ina-adjust na nila ’yung ulam para sa’yo. ’Yung tipong buong household mag-a-adjust dahil lang sa gusto mong lasa.”
For the filmmaker duo, these micro-milestones are exactly what made the vertical series resonate so heavily online, proving that the road to a Filipino family’s heart inevitably passes through the kitchen.
Making Moments ‘Eden Better’
The episode beautifully highlights how Eden Cheese serves as the ultimate secret weapon for young couples navigating high-pressure family moments — and as a nostalgic comfort staple for the directors themselves.
During the live chat, the duo fondly looked back on how Eden has always been a constant in their lives. In a hilarious trip down memory lane, Direk JP reminisced about his school days when he actually made and sold homemade cheese sticks using Eden Cheese to earn extra allowance. He even chimed in about his personal comfort habit: simply slicing and snacking on blocks of Eden straight from the fridge whenever a craving hits.
Whether it’s elevating your morning cheesy torta, upgrading your Sunday caldereta, or simply preparing a rich plate of Pinoy-style spaghetti, Eden Cheese’s creamier, milkier formula is thoughtfully designed to turn simple, everyday dishes into memorable milestones and melt away tension at any table.
The full “Cheesy Memz” episode of Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast is now streaming on Spotify and YouTube. Audiences looking to share their own family-winning recipes can join the conversation on the Ang Walang Kwentang Podcast After-Podcast Chikahan community on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #AngWalangKwentangPodcast.
Missed the drama? Head over to Eden Cheese’s official Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube pages to watch the full series, or simply visit @EdenCheesePH on Instagram to catch all episodes of Cheese The One conveniently saved under IG highlights.
